When you buy an older home or you move into new construction, one of the most important features of this residence is its roof. You might not think of it very often, especially when it’s new. However, all roofing materials, especially asphalt shingles and wood shake, will require some form of roof maintenance. As a homeowner, it is up to you to maintain your roof to ensure it stays structurally sound, allowing it to do what it was designed to do – protect your family and the interior of your property.
Choosing a new roof made from metal, tile, or slate can reduce your maintenance needs, but even then, you’ll still need to be vigilant in its care. Roofing maintenance strategies can help you avoid costly issues down the road. You can follow some basic roof repair tips and regular roof maintenance to have greater peace of mind in your home. Since the roof cost in Georgia is an investment, you will want to be diligent with your roof maintenance to avoid needing a roof replacement before your roof is at the end of its lifespan.
At Pinnacle Home Improvements, our Georgia home improvement contractors are committed to helping local homeowners keep a well-maintained roof. In this blog post, we explain how keeping up with regular maintenance and making minor repairs will go a long way to enhance your home’s appearance and structural fortitude.
The Importance of Roof Maintenance to Keep Your Roof in Good Condition
No matter how durable roofing materials are, they all endure constant sun exposure and impacts from the weather. That’s why they all benefit from roof maintenance over the years. Regular roof inspections are the key to catching roof damage that starts off as minor and getting it repaired promptly before it worsens.
Roof maintenance helps you protect your investment and avoids the need for a roof replacement before your roof has aged beyond its useful life. Failing to follow a roof maintenance checklist could leave you with costly repairs. Therefore, regular maintenance and roof repairs are the key to preventing structural damage and upholding its structural integrity.
Common Signs Your Roof Needs Repair
Part of being a homeowner is taking care of your roof. However, even the most vigilant homeowners may not realize there are issues that could lead to extensive damage. If you’re a new homeowner or you’re not sure what to look for, here are the signs that you will need to contact a roofing professional:
Ice Dams
Ice dams are a huge concern and can indicate a problem with your roof’s health. If you notice ice dams in the winter, do not wait to contact a roofing contractor. These dams prevent snow and ice from melting and draining off the roof. This causes water to back up onto the roof, under the shingles, soaking into the attic below. It can cause costly repairs for mold, mildew, insulation damage, and drywall damage. You may even have damage to the vent pipes and roof deck. You can prevent ice dams by finding the cause of heat loss from your home while ensuring proper ventilation keeps the gutters clean to allow for proper drainage.
Missing or Damaged Shingles
If your roofing materials are asphalt shingles, you may notice some of them are missing or look damaged. When a roof isn’t that old, making these repairs quickly will help prevent more serious roof damage. If there has been a serious weather event that has blown off most of your shingles, you will likely need a replacement rather than repairs. In most cases, you may only experience a few torn or blown-away shingles. Failing to maintain your roof will result in shingles that curl or even rot, which isn’t just unsightly – it can lead to serious problems for your home.
Roof Leaks
Roof leaks can seriously impact your roof’s lifespan, not to mention cause major damage inside your home. Leaks can arise by failing to care for your shingles, though even homeowners who get inspections each year may be subjected to these issues when a major storm blows through. If you notice water stains on your ceilings or walls, you’ll want a roofing contractor to conduct a thorough inspection to determine the extent of the leakage and whether or not it can be repaired.
Reduced Energy Efficiency
Your home’s energy efficiency can help you avoid costly bills. If you’ve noticed that your energy bills continue to rise without having made any changes to your consumption, your roof may be to blame. You may need to improve your attic insulation or address other minor issues. Ignoring the rise in your electric bill can also put more strain on your HVAC system, which will cause it to wear out before its time. While your roof might not be the only culprit for higher energy consumption in your home, it’s a good idea to get an inspection to be sure.
DIY Roof Maintenance/Repair Tips for Roof Upkeep
Every homeowner should know the basic roof maintenance tips they need to do each year to protect the roof deck and all the roofing materials. Taking these steps will prevent structural damage and allow you to have worry-free days ahead.
Clean Gutters
One of the top roof maintenance tips for homeowners is to keep the gutters clean. Clogged gutters can cause water to pool onto the roof. That water can also flow down around the foundation, causing other costly issues for your home, including structural damage.
The maintenance chores involved with your gutters will require you to remove debris and check your downspouts regularly. Debris accumulation tends to be heavier during seasonal changes, and it is wise to regularly inspect the gutters at these times. If you can’t safely perform this task, make sure you hire a professional to help.
Remove Algae Growth
Another one of the roof maintenance tips you should follow is removing any algae growth. Algae and mold growth can cause shingles to wear out and can trap moisture behind the material. Roof cleaning can ensure your home looks pristine and improve its curb appeal while also protecting your roof.
Inspect Shingles
Once per year, you should make sure you conduct regular inspections of your roof. If there are issues with your shingles, you can usually spot them from the ground. However, don’t just rely on your visual recon of what you can see. Having a professional roofer conduct annual inspections can ensure your roof lasts through the years. The importance of having inspections conducted by a professional cannot be overstated. Only a roofing contractor will know what to look for to spot minor issues before they become a massive problem.
Trim Overhanging Branches
Overhanging branches can fall off at any time, particularly during severe weather. You can prevent roof penetrations from tree branches by trimming overhanging branches from your property line. Tree limbs and other debris, even if they do not damage the roof when they fall, can cause other issues for your roof, such as allowing mold growth to thrive underneath their shadows. It’s better to be proactive and prevent this from even happening than to have to deal with the repair cost.
When Maintenance Tips Aren’t Enough: Know When to Contact a Professional
There may be some things that you can do yourself as a homeowner, depending on your level of handiness. Some homeowners are comfortable with cleaning out their gutters, trimming their own trees, and cleaning the roof.
However, without the right tools or knowledge, it can make things much worse. For example, if you try cleaning your roof and use the wrong pressure setting on the water, you can cause extensive damage. Instead of saving yourself money, you’ll wind up paying more to fix the damage than it would have cost to hire a pro from the start.
Additionally, getting on a roof can be incredibly dangerous. Many homeowners wind up in the emergency room after falling off ladders while trying to clean gutters, replace worn or missing shingles on the roof, and perform other maintenance tasks. Others may not spot small damage and assume their roof is in good condition, allowing a problem to worsen.
One of the best things you can do as a homeowner is find a contractor you can trust to inspect your roof each year. Whether you can do some of the tasks yourself or not, a professional will ensure your roof is in the best condition it can be. If you need to hire someone for these other tasks, you’ll have greater peace of mind in setting a maintenance schedule to attend to your roofing needs.
Pinnacle Home Improvements can help you take care of your roof over the years. We are always happy to answer your roofing questions, giving you the knowledge you need to take care of your property from top to bottom. Contact our team for a free estimate on our roofing services.
